Fiji: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1

- Heavy rains have caused severe flooding
in the North, Central and Western Divisions of Fiji since 8 January.

- A 30-day state of natural disaster
was declared in the Western Division on 11 January.

- 6,591 people were recorded as being
evacuated and housed in 110 Evacuation Centres as of 11 am on Tuesday 13
January

- 7 Deaths have been recorded as a direct
result of the floods.

- The Fiji Interim Government has not
requested international assistance, but reviews assessment information
tomorrow 14 January.

- Another tropical depression is expected
to bring more rainfall by Wednesday night and Thursday, which may extend
and compound the current situation.

Situation Overview

Heavy rain resulting from a tropical
depression and falling mainly from 7 to 10 January has caused severe flooding
in the North, Central and Western Divisions of Fiji. The affected areas
include the major towns of Nadi, Ba, and Labasa. Emergency Operations Centres
have been activated in all three Divisions and the Western Division has
had a state of natural disaster declared.

A break in the rain for the Western and
Central Districts on 11 January has allowed floodwaters to recede in some
areas. However, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) reports
that numerous low lying villages and communities remain under water. Further,
rain in the Western Division on 12 and 13 January, combined with spring
tides, has caused waters to rise again in that region. The Fiji Meteorological
Service forecasts that between now and midnight Wednesday 14 January, there
will be periods of heavy rain for Labasa (Northern division on the island
of Vanua Levu), and Nadi, Lautoka and Ba (Western Division on the main
island of Viti Levu), and some rain and thunderstorms for Navua and Nausori
(Central division). This rain is expected to compound the flooding that
has already taken place and further flash flooding is a risk.

According the NDMO, throughout Fiji a
total of 6,591 people were recorded as being evacuated and housed in 110
Evacuation Centres as of 11 am on Tuesday 13 January.

There have been 7 reported deaths due
to drowning (4) and landslides (3): four males and three females of which
4 children that can be directly attributed to the rainfall and flooding.
A further death (adult male) has been recorded in the form of a road accident
which appears to have been caused by poor visibility as a result of the
heavy rain.

As of 8 AM on 13 January the NDMO reported
that the water levels in all big rivers were back to normal, but by the
end of the day water levels were rising again due to continued rainfall.
The northern highway (Kings road) is still closed at Wailotua. Nausori
Airport was also left without electricity. At a briefing of international
partners on Tuesday 13 January the NDMO reported that with the old bridge
that was washed away at Sigatoka, also the attached water and sewerage
pipes were destroyed. Nadi and Ba also lack water supply and electricity
supply. Government agencies are working around he clock to restore services
and supply.

Humanitarian Response

The government has activated its disaster
response mechanism and the response activities are coordinated both at
the district level and national level. Initial damage assessment has been
conducted and is still ongoing in affected areas in order to provide a
full overview of the damage caused by the floods. 110 evacuation centres
have been established by the government in the affected areas and the division
authorities are distributing food parcels to the 6,591 people using the
centres. Work to repair roads damaged by floods and landslides is also
being undertaken. Water trucks are directed Suva and other towns to Sigatoka
and Ba to deliver water by truck to affected people. Restoring power and
water supply to hospitals in Nadi, Lautoka and Ba has been listed as a
priority.

The Fiji Red Cross Society's Situation
Report 2 - Fiji Floods, states that FRCS have deployed relief teams to
conduct assessment as well as distributing basic non food items including
containers for drinking water, black packs, temporary shelter equipment,
cooking sets and blankets to affected communities along the Rewa river.
The Fiji Red Cross Society has also provided 100 x 20L clean drinking water
containers to five flooded villages and evacuation centres located near
the Rewa river.

St John's Ambulance visited two Evacuation
Centres in the Rewa Delta area and evacuated one elderly woman for treatment
before returning her to the shelter and treating another woman on site
for a septic wound.

Save the Children Fiji is conducting
assessments on education related needs of affected populations, particularly
children and the damage to schools.

Both the NDMO and the Fiji Red Cross
Society continue to conduct damage and needs assessment although they are
being hampered by access in some areas.

A number of international organizations,
including UN and ADB, have offered assistance to the government to participate
in multi-sector rapid and in-depth assessments should this be required.

Water & Sanitation

Water shortage in Ba is a serious concern
because the main dam and pipeline were affected by the flood. Water tanks
are going to be dispatched to Ba to relieve the water shortage problem.
Water shortage in Nadi especially in the hospital are also reported from
Western Division. Restoration of water and electricity supplies at the
hospitals are priority for the government response.

Health

Fiji Red Cross points out that contamination
of community water source could increase water born diseases. This was
also the main reason for the Western Division to declare a state of natural
disaster. Specific health assessment will need to be undertaken in order
to understand the health risks and health needs of affected population
as a whole including both evacuees and non evacuees.